Pharrell Introduces His New Artist Buddy, Premieres Video

Pharrell Williams has had his hand in plenty of hits from a number of huge artists throughout the years, and now he’s focusing on cultivating another star.

Meet Buddy, an 18-year-old Compton native, signed to Pharrell’s recently formed label I Am Other.

“My homeboy Scott Vener [music supervisor for Entourage, How To Make It In America, 90210 and more] came to the studio one night, and he showed me a video,” Pharrell told XXLMag.com. “I saw this kid freestyling over ‘Flava in Ya Ear,’ and he shot his own video to it, and I was buggin’ out. A) what’s he know about an instrumental like that? B) why is he dumbin’ all over it?”

That was a couple years ago, shortly before Buddy’s 16th birthday. The two met a few days later, and not long after that, the partnership began.

“I’m tryna set up a movement,” said Buddy, who’s now in college. “I’m really trying to put out a bunch of good music that’s positive and stay fun. [I'm] coming from Compton, with the reputation along with it, and I just wanna start anew. Show them a whole ‘nother side of the city. I grew up around it, but I didn’t grow up in it.”

Pharrell is confident that the up-and-comer will make his presence felt.

“The way he thinks, and his ability to articulate that is just—I hadn’t seen anything like it,” Skateboard P said. “I was like, man, this guy, he is I Am Other. He’s not some ordinary child. He’s a kid that thinks outside of the box. He’s on his way to being one of those super special artists.”

Above, you can check out Buddy’s debut video, “Awesome Awesome,” with an appearance by Pharrell and produced by The Neptunes. —Adam Fleischer

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Steve Hendrix

Horrible artist. Nothing substantial. Its nice to know pharell is condoning and supporting his stealing in the store. That is a testament to why the public frowns upon our community when we walk into stores. THANKS FOR RUINING IT FOR THE REST OF US KID!

dj sammy.

you are twisted in the mind if you think this has no substance, theres NOT one naked hoochie in the video, its just a bunch of kids having fun, so sit in a corner.

http://www.undergroundcharisma.com/ KidNice

Robbin stores and chicks fightings in the hood is fun?

Marrell

stop over analyzing the art. Rappers have been talking about robbing stores since rap started, don’t try and blame it on the new generation because you can’t have Tupac back.

dJ sammmy

#awesomeawesome is a GOOOOOO !

naeee

honestly i must say this is one of the best videos I’ve seen this year. how could you say it has no substance ? you must be watching a different video!!! i cant wait to hear more from you buddy !
.. remember haters are always going to hate

Mt68

@dj slammy…there is a reason there are no naked hoochies in this music video because they are all underage (which by the way is a huge violation of the law) secondly, the video is on YOUTUBE. guns rappers dont shoot themselves, sex, and robbing stores don’t make you cool. #bringrealhiphopback

dJ sammmy

@mt68… the last part of your comment made no sense.
_& yall mad so early in the morning, #whytho?
make sure your words are nice and sweet, just incase you have to eat them.

whoa dere i guess us fans have to deal with the polarity of this situation. BUDDY is an awesome artist .

sirThomas Sketchy

I’m so glad you guys are hating, you know you made it when their hating.. OK so guess what cha guys? all of y’all have your own opinion on it right? but how?? .. maybe because y’all took sweet time out of your life and watched the video, so at the end of the day , bad or great.. yall know who buddy is.. now that my friend is AWESOME AWESOME!

$yk

like seriously…you have to watch the video to form an opinion on the topic…NOT WATCHING it and yapping is hate…

think about it…so just because I watch it and say I don’t like it means I’m hating and dude made it? That’s the most RIDICULOUS assessment anyone can make…

now…this is a great intro to the world song…I would like to hear some more to see how son progresses to being a true artist…depends on his work ethic…the Neptunes hook up doesn’t mean ANYTHING if you don’t apply yourself and expect the co-sign to sell for you…

Steve Hendrix

I stick to what I said from the forefront. He making our african american community look bad. He’s not an artist he is a trouble making kid. Cosign from Pharrel? WHO IS PHARREL NOW DAYS ANYWAY? I heard he hangin with mike jones……so Buddy….Who?

I think this is kinda weird. Google Buddy and see what u find, absolutely nuttin. Maybe a few videos on his old youtube page wiv some mediocre Cali Swag District rappin and some of dat jerkin bullshit. Why would Pharrel sign a dude who was relatively invisible to the rap game? He’s completely changed style since then aswell. Now hes a skater not a jerker. hes just another manufactured artist.

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pdawg

Im not a hater but his flow is garbage pharrell is a genius always in my eyes.